Luke 4-9 -- Dealing with Temptation
Luke 4-9 -- Dealing with Temptation
Have you ever begun a new project with complete and total enthusiasm? I do it all the time. I get obsessed when I find a new hobby; just ask my wife. I throw myself all in. However, some obstacle usually gets in the way and I give up.
The sad truth to this comical routine is that it happens to God’s plans in our lives. We get on fire for Christ, only to let our flame burn out. But why? Luke 4 provides an answer; The Tempter. His name is Satan and he loves to pull our attention off what truly matters and towards ourselves. Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness show how Satan is still working in the same ways today.
Temptation 1: Priorities. Jesus was 40 days without food or water. He needed it and had the power to make some out of the rocks. Satan knew this and waved that power in front of him. Thankfully, Jesus knew that food and water are not the most important things. “Man does not live on bread alone” (Luke 4:4 / Deuteronomy 8:3, NIV). For us it is not always food, but we allow needs and human desires to become distractions to the work Christ is doing through us.
Temptation 2: Respect / Value / Worth. Our human nature desires to be important. We want to be rich or famous or respected or loved. Satan used this desire against Jesus and still uses it against us. Satan tries to get us to serve ourselves by worshipping him. However, there is only one God and thus only one we may serve. The desire to be loved must be fulfilled by God alone. “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” (Luke 4:8 / Deuteronomy 6:13, NIV).
Temptation 3: Power / Pride. God has given each of us gifts to be used. They are given to us by His grace. However, we have a tendency to show off or compare our gifts. Satan uses our pride against us. Our pride causes us to boast about our gifts and use them for personal gain. Jesus had the prime opportunity to leap from the temple and call upon angels to carry him away to safety. However, using your gifts for personal gain and asking God to enable your pride is a test He should never be asked to take. Jesus responds by saying, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Luke 4:12 / Deuteronomy 6:16, NIV). Even the Son of God put the Father’s will above His own.
Pray today that God protects you from the evil one and leads you away from the temptations of the flesh. Pray that your heart is submissive to the perfect and pleasing will of God. Pray that in your weakness, He is strong. Pray your fire continues to burn bright amidst trials and His plans succeed. Take refuge in God’s strength today. Through Him your battle is already won!
-Jake Sprengle
Have you ever begun a new project with complete and total enthusiasm? I do it all the time. I get obsessed when I find a new hobby; just ask my wife. I throw myself all in. However, some obstacle usually gets in the way and I give up.
The sad truth to this comical routine is that it happens to God’s plans in our lives. We get on fire for Christ, only to let our flame burn out. But why? Luke 4 provides an answer; The Tempter. His name is Satan and he loves to pull our attention off what truly matters and towards ourselves. Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness show how Satan is still working in the same ways today.
Temptation 1: Priorities. Jesus was 40 days without food or water. He needed it and had the power to make some out of the rocks. Satan knew this and waved that power in front of him. Thankfully, Jesus knew that food and water are not the most important things. “Man does not live on bread alone” (Luke 4:4 / Deuteronomy 8:3, NIV). For us it is not always food, but we allow needs and human desires to become distractions to the work Christ is doing through us.
Temptation 2: Respect / Value / Worth. Our human nature desires to be important. We want to be rich or famous or respected or loved. Satan used this desire against Jesus and still uses it against us. Satan tries to get us to serve ourselves by worshipping him. However, there is only one God and thus only one we may serve. The desire to be loved must be fulfilled by God alone. “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” (Luke 4:8 / Deuteronomy 6:13, NIV).
Temptation 3: Power / Pride. God has given each of us gifts to be used. They are given to us by His grace. However, we have a tendency to show off or compare our gifts. Satan uses our pride against us. Our pride causes us to boast about our gifts and use them for personal gain. Jesus had the prime opportunity to leap from the temple and call upon angels to carry him away to safety. However, using your gifts for personal gain and asking God to enable your pride is a test He should never be asked to take. Jesus responds by saying, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Luke 4:12 / Deuteronomy 6:16, NIV). Even the Son of God put the Father’s will above His own.
Pray today that God protects you from the evil one and leads you away from the temptations of the flesh. Pray that your heart is submissive to the perfect and pleasing will of God. Pray that in your weakness, He is strong. Pray your fire continues to burn bright amidst trials and His plans succeed. Take refuge in God’s strength today. Through Him your battle is already won!
-Jake Sprengle
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